From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Supreme Court has nullified the National Lottery Act 2005, enacted by the National Assembly.
According to the apex court, the National Assembly overstepped its boundaries, as the legislation on lottery and games of chance remained the exclusive rights of state Houses of Assembly, in a judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris. The Supreme Court has by its judgment scrapped the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
The Act established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to oversee lottery operations, including issuing licences, regulating lottery games, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the industry. However, its functions have now been curtailed by the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The apex court consequently ordered that the National Lottery Act 2005 should no longer be enforced in all states, except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in respect of which the National Assembly is empowered to make laws.
The judgment followed a suit filed in 2008 by the Lagos State government and other states challenging the right of the Federal Government to regulate lottery and games of chance across the country. On October 6, 2020, Ekiti State was added as a co-plaintiff by a court order. Later, on November 15, 2022, the Supreme Court joined the Attorneys General of 34 other states.